The Meetings Industry Association (mia) introduces a newly restructured Executive Board today, at the conclusion of the association’s annual general meeting (AGM), with Mark Chambers, Eden Hotel Collection’s group managing director, appointed as the mia’s new chairman for 2016/17. Jonathan Morris, commercial director at No.11 Cavendish Square, assumes the role of vice chairman.

Chambers succeeds Andrew Mosley, general manager of The Grand Brighton, who remains on the Executive Board as immediate past chairman.

The Executive Board will be supported by a new Development Board made up of elected council members, responsible for developing and leading projects to deliver the association’s objectives, as set by the Executive Board. An Operations Board will complete the governance and resources oversight and support for the Executive Board, composed of elected and appointed Council Officers, together with the chief executive.

Speaking of his new role, Chambers said: “Our new Executive Board is made up of some of the most experienced talents in the hospitality and events industries, ably supported by Development and Operations Boards. Appointing this group of professionals creates a newly empowered voice to raise the profile of the work we do with and on behalf of members and the industry. We’ve got lots to look forward to this year and are pushing ahead with more events, more marketing and more sector insight to grow the value of membership.”

At the mia’s AGM today, treasurer Michael Stott announced a positive outcome to the association’s financial year (Sept 2014 – Aug 2015), with a year-end net surplus, standing the mia in strong stead for the year ahead.

Reflecting on key highlights of the year, Jane Longhurst, chief executive, said: “We’re well positioned to deliver improved benefits and services to our members, having achieved strong and stable financial performance this year. Growth came from events and exhibitions, which demonstrates a pleasing increase in member engagement. It is also testament to the relevance and value of our marketing and events programmes to our members’ business needs.

“During the past 12 years, as an executive team, we have put in place first-class processes to manage membership services and they are now so robust and fit for purpose that they have become a commodity.

“With the support of the Board of Directors, we have launched a subsidiary company to the mia, wholly owned by the mia to deliver membership services to third parties. Membership Support Services (MSS) offers an additional income stream for the MIA and increased funding for future benefits.”

MSS signed its first contract in February 2016, assuming responsibility for managing the day-to-day operation of events and hospitality association the HBAA. The three-year contract includes membership services, finance and bookkeeping, plus provision of marketing support.

For more information about the mia and its work, visit www.mia-uk.org.